Fact of the day

Information is the most powerful weapon.

Monday

Fact N°
1565

Technically, a mirage is not an optical illusion.

Science has strict criteria to determine the difference between mirages and optical illusions. Varying air densities lead to atmospheric optics that "bend" light rays. Air becomes less dense as it rises; as light rays pass through this variable density, they are refracted in such a way as to displace visual images -- like what you see on a beach horizon or rising off hot asphalt. This phenomenon is an actual thing, and it can be photographed -- the same can't be said of an optical illusion.

Tuesday

Fact N°
1566

Of the 3,141 county and county equivalents in the United States, 261 are "dry."

So-called "dry" counties are ones that, in one form or another, prohibit the sale of alcohol. They exist in 13 U.S. states.
In the largest recent study of its kind, researchers from Loyola University in Chicago compared the demographics of the U.S. counties and determined that "the strongest factors associated with dry status are the religious composition of the county, especially the presence of Evangelical Protestants. Conversely, the presence of larger concentrations of Catholics is a powerful factor inhibiting the adoption of prohibition in a county."

Wednesday

Fact N°
1567

Eight players in MLB history have had their numbers retired by more than one team.

The state of Texas is responsible for over 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

Technically, 2.2% globally, and over 10% of the carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. As such, the state has the unfortunate distinction of being the U.S. leader in those emissions, and Texas is also tops among states in energy consumption. However, as much as half of that consumption comes from oil refineries and other industries.

Friday

Fact N°
1569

Doctors have the highest suicide rate of any profession.

According to David Noonan, writing for Newsweek, about one physician a day commits suicide, or somewhere between 300 to 400 every year, qualifying it for the highest rate of any profession. While there have been very few academic research studies carried out on the issue, the author of one of them, Dr. Charles Reynolds, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, attributes the high rate to undiagnosed and untreated depression. The potential for a depression diagnosis to hurt a doctor's career leads the condition to go untreated.

Saturday

Fact N°
1570

Mass-market paperback books first became available in 1939.

Prior to 1939, most books were available only in expensive hardcover editions. In an effort to make books more affordable to the average consumer, entrepreneur Robert DeGraff launched Pocket Books, shrinking the size of the book and using glue in the spine to save money. He also eschewed standard bookstores, instead focusing on distributing his mass-market paperbacks through drug stores and train stations.

Sunday

Fact N°
1571

The term "maverick" comes from a rancher who couldn't contain his cattle.

The term, which was used often during the 2008 presidential elections in reference to Senator John McCain, descends from 19th century cowboy culture in America. Specifically, a "maverick" originally referred to an unbranded calf that a cattleman could easily lose without that marking, an unfortunate phenomenon that happened frequently to the term's namesake, San Antonio rancher and cattleman Sam Maverick.